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SPECIAL FEATURE: The Tiki Times events calendar for all of 2019
NEW: Atomic Grog Cocktail Recipes, A through Z UPDATED: The Mai-Kai Cocktail Guide and 100+ recipes
NEW: Miami Rum Renaissance Festival returns to its roots after 10 years 
After taking a detour to Fort Lauderdale in 2018, the Rum Renaissance Festival is back in Miami-Dade County for its 11th annual "celebration of cane spirits in the new world" at the Coral Gables Woman’s Club on May 17-18.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL EVENT PREVIEW
NEW: The Atomic Grog presents new class and symposium at The Hukilau 2019
Hurricane Hayward of The Atomic Grog will take guests on an virtual journey to the Caribbean to learn about the key rums and styles that have dominated The Mai-Kai’s acclaimed cocktails for more than 60 years. He'll be joined by rum expert Stephen Remsberg for an Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy class at Pier Sixty-Six hotel on June 8, and by Cocktail Wonk writer Matt Pietrek for an on-stage symposium at The Mai-Kai Grand Finale on June 9. Fans of vintage rum, Tiki mixology, and The Mai-Kai’s cocktails are advised to clear their calendars for these special events at The Hukilau 2019.
NEW: CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PREVIEW AND TICKET INFO
Photos, recap: How to Mix Like The Mai-Kai, the Okole Maluna Cocktail Academy class at Hukilau 2018
UPDATED: Drink like a native with the deadly Shrunken Skull
A deep dive into the history of a deadly classic cocktail 
The Mai-Kai cocktail review: Fully enhanced with a brand new tribute recipe and the true ancestor recipe from Don the Beachcomber. Includes rich detail including info on all the mugs, the potent rums and the story behind those real shrunken skulls on display in one of the The Mai-Kai's secluded dining rooms. CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY
NEW: Atomic Grog Cocktail Recipes, A through Z 
When The Atomic Grog launched in late April of 2011, the second post was a Tiki cocktail recipe. Now, more than 400 posts and 200 recipes later, we've put all those drinks into an alphabetical list for easy access as a treat to all of you who've supported the blog for the past eight years. CLICK HERE TO SEE ALL THE RECIPES
INTRO & MAHALOS: Recipe list marks eighth anniversary of blog
The Hukilau 2019: Tiki Tower Takeover cocktail party sold out - Preview, photos and complete history 
For the fifth year in a row, the signature event at The Hukilau has sold out months in advance. The Tiki Tower Takeover, held every June in the 17th floor rooftop ballroom at Pier Sixty-Six in Fort Lauderdale, will have added significance in 2019. The festive cocktail party that spotlights some of the world’s top Tiki bartenders will celebrate Women Who Tiki with eight female mixologists serving their own special creations. With the hotel closing for a massive refurbishment immediately after The Hukilau, it will also be the last Takeover in the tower for at least two years.
CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL PREVIEW AND BARTENDER PROFILES
Plus more special features:
• HISTORY: Event recaps and photos, 2015-2017
• PHOTOS: Recap and new images from last year’s Tiki Tower Takeover
• RECIPE: Cotton Mouth Killer from Trailer Happiness
The Hukilau 2019 update: Last party at Pier Sixty-Six? Rooms, events selling fast as new cocktail classes added 
As The Hukilau fast approaches its 18th annual Tiki weekender in Fort Lauderdale in June, hotel rooms at the host Pier Sixty-Six have sold out, and the more popular classes and symposiums are filling up. But new events are still being added, including a cocktail class on the rums of The Mai-Kai hosted by The Atomic Grog. Meanwhile, news just broke that Pier Sixty-Six will be closing for a massive two-year renovation immediately after The Hukilau 2019. With plans for a new 2020 site for The Hukilau already underway, this June should prove to be a final opportunity to party at the vintage Pier Sixty-Six, Tiki style.
UPDATED: CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL STORY AND TICKET INFO
Event spotlight: Arizona Tiki Oasis brings Polynesian Pop party to the desert
Arizona Tiki Oasis featured all the hallmarks of the original event in a mid-century desert setting,
from a vintage hotel to some of the biggest names in the Tiki revival.
>>>> Atomic Grog preview and social recap
DICK DALE, 1937-2019
The rock 'n' roll legend dubbed 'King of the Surf Guitar' has died at age 81
The Atomic Grog and Slammie Productions had the pleasure of booking and promoting six of Dick Dale's South Florida concerts over the last decade of his career. It was truly an honor. He will be missed.
Here's are links to all of our stories, including exclusive photos and a rare interview:
* Dick Dale: The most interesting man in rock ‘n’ roll
Exclusive interview, photos: Cancer survivor and rock legend Dick Dale: 'I had both feet in the grave'
* A Dick Dale concert is always the best way to celebrate another year of The Atomic Grog
Concert review, photos: Dick Dale's comeback revs into overdrive
* South Florida welcomes Dick Dale, but when will the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame?
* Nothing can stop surf guitar king Dick Dale
* The Atomic Grog celebrates first anniversary with the return of Dick Dale
Concert review, photos: Dick Dale shreds all doubts with sizzling shows
* Dick Dale, playing the tour of his life, hits South Florida
* What makes Dick Dale the 'King of the Surf Guitar'?
* Dick Dale's 2011 tour was seven years in the making
New cocktail books, magazine prove Tiki underground is alive and thriving
This year marks the publication of several new cocktail books along with continuing releases of a new quarterly magazine devoted to the revival of Polynesian Pop and mid-century culture. Who says social media and the Internet have killed off the printed word?
Bonus cocktail recipe: Lost Treasure by Syd Thomas of Tonga Hut
Surprise winner, new spirit of aloha at fifth annual Art of Tiki in South Beach
Find out how an unassuming chef beat out Miami's top mixologists in the South Beach Wine & Food Festival's tropical bartending competition. >>> Check out our review of the event and all the cocktails, plus exclusive photos and history of the event.
Photos, bonus recipe: Blue Bayou, served by Brian Miller at the 2019 SoBeWFF
100 Days to The Hukilau: Weekend events at The Mai-Kai to feature The Surfrajettes, preview party
The 18th annual Tiki weekender known as The Hukilau will not invade Fort Lauderdale until June, but local Tikiphiles got an early taste of the rum-fueled festivities March 2-3 when two special events kicked off the 2019 countdown at The Mai-Kai.
* Event preview of both events, plus video of The Surfrajettes at The Hukilau 2017
PHOTOS: VIPs, connoisseurs of fine spirits flock to first Miami Rum Congress
The inaugural Miami Rum Congress was an unqualified success, a star-studded gathering of rum industry experts that sold out the cozy and picturesque Shane Center in Miami Beach. >>> Photo gallery and event recap
* Atomic Grog preview and social recap
Inuhele celebrates Atlanta’s meteoric rise as Tiki destination 
Now, in just its second year, the Tiki weekender known as Inuhele greatly expanded to include three days of bar-hopping, panels, vendors, bands, demos and more geared to the area's burgeoning scene. >>> Full preview and live coverage
Cocktail recipe: Makani Pahili by Skipper Mickey of Trader Sam’s Grog Grotto, one of the Iron TikiTender competitors at Inuhele
Miami Rum Congress is in session: First annual event lures top industry experts 
Some of the biggest names in the spirits world flocked to South Florida for the first annual
Miami Rum Congress, a two-day event featuring tastings and educational seminars dedicated to the burgeoning booze
that may finally have outgrown its "party like a pirate" image.
Hukilau 2019: Tickets on sale, book your room now for June 5-9 bash in Fort Lauderdale 
The Hukilau has announced an impressive lineup of bands, bars and booze experts as it launched a new website with tickets now on sale for the 18th annual Tiki weekender in Fort Lauderdale. Guests can also book rooms at two hotels: the host Pier 66 and the nearby B Ocean Resort. New for 2019: Women take over the Tiki Tower Takeover, plus 10 new Tiki bars!
Special event: 'Demerara Rum - The Mai-Kai's Secret Weapon' 
The Atomic Grog was pleased to present a special happy-hour talk during The Mai-Kai Takeover event
on Jan. 19, presented by the Magical Tiki Meet-Up and Retro Rekindled.
Click here to check out our full event recap, including photos and highlights of our Demerara rum discussion.
See also: Rums of The Mai-Kai include potent, funky flavors from Guyana and Jamaica
The Hukilau 2019 updates: Hotel room parties are back, The Surfrajettes return to The Mai Kai, plus more NEW 
Get exclusive news on the return of room parties, plus this year's featured artist Baï, and countdown events at Miami Rum Congress in February and The Mai-Kai in March featuring The Surfrajettes.
The Tiki Times: Full 2019 events calendar now available! 
Announcing The Atomic Grog's updated calendar for all the major events across the world of Tiki culture. Let us help you plan all your 2019 excursions with this list that includes rum events, plus modernism, surf music, Disney and other happenings of interest to the Tiki community.
LATEST BLOGS: NEWS AND EVENTS
* 2019 Tiki Bingo season kicks off at The Mai-Kai
* Event spotlight: SoCal’s Original Tiki Market Place celebrates seventh anniversary
* Iron TikiTender goes on tour for Atlanta regional competition | Recipe: Jamaican Bad Decisions
* They’re back: Flaming Tiki swizzle sticks from Grider Adventure Art
Epcot's Native American art exhibit includes Hawaiian and Polynesian artifacts 
The Hawaii and California display spotlights one of seven geographic regions of Native American art,
both historical and modern, in the American Heritage Gallery.
A cure for your holiday hangover: All the Miracle pop-up cocktails, reviewed and ranked 
Check out our reviews and rankings of all the drinks on the 2018 Miracle menu
Nobody has perfected the Christmas pop-up concept quite like Miracle, from the decor to the music to the food - all spearheaded by each individual location under the guidance of Cocktail Kingdom. For 39 days, Miracle on Rosemary and Miracle on Delray Beach from Death Or Glory served up delicious craft cocktails that feature obscure, esoteric ingredients but also don't take themselves too seriously and appeal to a broad audience.
Previous story: Festive ‘Miracle’ pop-up bar expands in South Florida, worldwide
COCKTAIL RECIPE: Secret Santa Flip is festive fun any time of year
Event preview: The Hukilau 2018 in Fort Lauderdale 
The Hukilau returns for its 18th annual Tiki weekender in June, serving up five days of immersive rum-fueled experiences at the Pier 66 Hotel & Marina and The Mai-Kai restaurant, both 62-year-old landmarks in sunny Fort Lauderdale.
The Year in Tiki 2018: Recap all the top events with photos and video 
Which events did you attend in 2018? Take a look back at the top happenings in the Tiki, rum and surf music worlds: Modernism Week, Inuhele: Atlanta Tiki Homebar Tour, Chicago Rum Festival, Viva Las Vegas, Tiki Caliente, The Hukilau, Rum Renaissance Festival, Surfer Joe Summer Festival, Ohana: Luau At The Lake, Tiki Kon, Tales of the Cocktail, Surf Guitar 101 Convention, Tiki Oasis, The Hula Hop, Asbury Park Surf Music Festival, Huka Pele Tiki Weekender, California Rum Festival, Makahiki: A Night of Tiki, New York Rum Festival, Circa Caliente, Malihini Tiki Festival, The UK RumFest, plus many more!
Florida bartender wins Chairman's Reserve Mai Tai Challenge at The Mai-Kai, earns trip to St. Lucia 
UPDATE: Bartender Gregory Schutt pulled off an upset victory on Oct. 30 in the regional finals
of the Chairman’s Reserve Mai Tai Challenge, edging several fellow Floridians and seasoned competitors
from cocktail hotbeds New Orleans and Chicago to earn a trip to the global finals in St. Lucia in 2019.
New Atomic Grog Mai Tai recipes: Oh Mai Darling | Atomic Mai Tai Cocktail
Hulaween 2018: Back from the Dead - 10th Anniversary Reunion 
On Oct. 26, The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale was overrun by a lively crowd of undead revelers who returned
from the grave for a 10th time in search of a rockin' good time with Slip and the Spinouts.
Photos on Facebook: The Atomic Grog's gallery | The Mai-Kai's gallery
Thanks to a dedicated group of artists and supporters, The Mai-Kai in Fort Lauderdale has been blessed
We caught up with the author in his natural habitat
The owner of Smuggler's Cove in San Francisco talks
Plantation won a festival-best eight RumXP awards
In 2015, the event was less about the big brands
The third hardcover opus from acclaimed Tiki urban archaeologist Sven Kirsten
We put two new products to the test,
Longboards, the surf-themed restaurant and bar in downtown West Palm Beach, closed unexpectedly
Rock 'n' roll icon Dick Dale is in the midst of a career resurgence